AI4GOV-X: the project and kick-off

AI4Gov Accelerate (AI4Gov-X) is shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence in public governance. Co-funded by the European Union (HaDEA agency) and led by top Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), this four-year project explores how AI can enhance policy development while upholding democratic values.

We officially launched AI4GOV-X at the Politecnico di Milano Bovisa Campus from February 3rd to 5th. During the kick-off meeting, we established the project’s key goals and tasks, with a strong focus on the Master’s program, which will equip the next generation of European civil servants and policymakers with the skills to integrate AI into the public sector effectively.

This was also the theme of the talk at the ADI Design Museum on February 3rd: “The Civil Servant of the Future“. The event opened with a welcome from Anna Barbara (President of POLI.design and AI4Gov-X Consortium Coordinator) before moving into an in-depth discussion moderated by Francesco Molinari (AI4Gov-X Project Manager). The panel featured insights from Francesco Filippi (Director of the Musol Foundation), Fotis Fitsilis (Head of Department at the Hellenic Parliament), Emanuela Girardi (Founder and President of the POP AI Association), and Francesca Rizzo (Full Professor and EU Projects Delegate at Politecnico di Milano).

The primary goal of AI4GOV-X is to develop an AI-focused online Master Program, providing participants with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Spaces (DS), and Digital Governance Transformation (DGT). This project fosters collaboration between HEIs and public/private organizations across EU Member States and Associated States, bringing together leading international experts driving digital transformation. Beyond education, AI4GOV-X aims to establish AI4Scale, a distributed knowledge facility and innovation platform. The infrastructure will enable HEIs to share resources for hands-on AI, DS & DGT applications. It will connect key players in the EU GovTech ecosystem, opening doors for collaboration in public service innovation. To conclude, the project will strengthen and expand a global Network of Excellence in AI, DS & DGT through AI4Engine, a permanent AI-powered hub. AI4Engine will identify and connect top talent, researchers, innovators, and startups. It will anticipate trends and emerging developments in AI-driven public services, support continuous updates to the educational program, and facilitate stakeholder engagement with AI4Scale.